Oak Ridge Council OKs, but questions bidding for city paving project

In a recent special-called meeting, the Oak Ridge City Council approved a contract to allow the Rogers Group to make improvements and put new asphalt on Jackson Square's upper parking lot.

by Beverly Majors

In a recent special-called meeting, the Oak Ridge City Council approved a contract to allow the Rogers Group to make improvements and put new asphalt on Jackson Square's upper parking lot.

The contract is for $157,962 and the improvements will be to the parking lot currently used by the local Farmer's Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

In a unanimous vote, Council awarded the contract to the Rogers Group although Council member David Mosby "qualified" his vote.

"We owe the taxpayers a better use of what we're doing," Mosby said. He said he felt as it Council was "being pushed" into voting for the contract because of the transportation enhancement project currently underway.

Mosby had questioned the reason the city had only one bidder for the project, which will, in addition to paving, also make improvements to the sidewalk and improve access.

City Finance Director Janice McGinnis said the Rogers Group was the sole bidder, but the city had sent out information to nine other companies. She said because Rogers Group is local, other companies often can't compete financially.

According to information from the city, construction bids were opened on Sept. 12 and construction plans and specifications were forwarded to nine potential bidders. Rogers Group was the sole bidder.

Mosby also had concerns about the Rogers Group being already under contract for the city's street paving projects and asked why the current contract couldn't be done under the current contract for asphalt.

City Engineer Steve Byrd said the Jackson Square project is different, stating "there are 30 other items in this contract." He said he wasn't sure if the city could negotiate with Rogers on the contract.

Byrd said the project includes not only paving, but also improvements to the sidewalk, base stone, painting, signage and removing curbs, as well as other items. He said the project was different from the "milling and pavement."

Mayor Tom Beehan said the city had already made arrangements with the Farmer's Market to move to another lot in Jackson Square while the work is being done and have let merchants know about the project so they could prepare.

"We've talked about this," he said. "We're trying to make a time line here. If we delay this, it could cause a domino affect, (and) could affect businesses."

Several members said they hadn't known Rogers Group had been chosen for the project until that Council meeting.

"This has come up before," Council member Trina Baughn said, explaining the city has contracted with other companies in similar fashion.

The mayor said Council had discussed the issue in a work session several weeks ago, but other Council members said the Rogers Group was not mentioned at that time — only the project and cost.

However, Byrd sent out a "public works memorandum" on Sept. 13 that named the Rogers Group as the recipient.

At the Aug. 26 City Council special-meeting, Council authorized funds from the Special Programs Fund for the Jackson Square Upper Parking Lot project. The funding will come from the Special Programs Fund for transportation enhancement projects for traffic capacity/safety, school crossing, and bicycle/pedestrian safety.

The project is part of the renovation project associated with the transportation grant for the Jackson Square Revitalization Project.

The remainder of the budgeted $215,000 will be used for electrical and AT&T utility relocations. Construction could begin in early October with substantial completion by mid-November.